Should Formula 1 in Bahrain Be Called Off?

Formula 1 is the one largest international event that Bahrain have been hosting annually since 2004, except last year of course. Formula 1 kick started a new era in Bahrain, by forcing world map makers to use extra effort into making sure a small dot exists just between Qatar and Saudi, make an arrow pointing towards it, and then stating that this is Bahrain. Now, the whole world knows us, thinks about us, and does some research as well on who we are.

Year by year, Formula 1 in Bahrain began developing, with better entertainment inside the circuit, and outside as well. Families, school kids, and expats all began looking forward for the world class entertainment weekend, away from the day to day life routine. Not just them, but even to local businesses, Formula 1 weekend is like the bonus weekend where Hotels are fully booked, products are fully sold, and utilities are fully used. It is a financial blessing to Bahrain, it is a weekend full of smiles to all children and adults, it is a time-out to feel attached to the world we live in.

Lately, some oppositional figures have been trying almost every single trick in their books to prevent the above from happening. It reminds me of when I constantly forget to buy a new toothpaste. Every morning and night, I find this out when I see a sorry over-used toothpaste waiting for me in the bathroom. I can’t afford running to the market and back, so I just try to squeeze the heck out of every tiny bump in it, moving it to the top, hoping that enough comes out for one last use. So, what shows up is the case by a member of the pro-Iranian cult of 1981 who attempted an armed coup in Bahrain; Adbulhadi AlKhawaja’s self-forced hunger strike, and young man who was sadly shot and killed at midnight by a stranger.

Abdulhadi AlKhawaja is a notorious opposition figure who has spent almost all his life planning for an armed coup in Bahrain, in order to extend Iran’s influence in the region. He is an extremely dangerous man when free to plan and execute. Sometimes after the 1980s, when performing Jihad as a member of the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain, a shia paralegal cult supported by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Abdulhadi and others decided to use the Human Rights approach in order to bring a case supported by the West on Bahrain. Rightfully so, Bahrain only recently evolved since the 1970s, after the independence from Great Britain, into increasing transparency in the judicial system.

Now that Bahrain is well into applying international standards into arrests, and the treatment of those detained under the law, Abdulhadi’s sympathizers, who I am dumbfounded to know that they exist, shouldn’t have anything to worry about. But to those who know the history behind this notoriously dangerous man, we are all very glad that he is finally behind bars. If he decides not to eat, then it is his choice. But should we all pause for it? I don’t think we should at all.

What about the young man’s unfortunate death by a gun shot? I answer this question with a question. Does America stops hosting Formula 1 when someone is murdered in the streets of New York? What about England in the streets of London?

What other reasons do the opposition have in their books? Perhaps many, but which one is linked to a rational reason not to place a smile on a child’s face, or benefiting the private and public sectors from the services they would provide to guests? In yesterday’s rally, the opposition tailored some Formula 1 costumes and gave the marchers in them some plastic machine guns. This obviously says that by coming to Bahrain, you will be a reason for our blood to spill! Perhaps I’m missing something here, or is this a completely unfounded causational relationship?

When Bahrain was faced with a barrage of negative media reports last year, the opposition complained that the government does not want the world to know what is really happening inside our walls. Thus, by preventing journalists from entering the country, the opposition claims that the government can do whatever it wants without the knowledge of the world. Now that Bahrain is welcoming every single person to the island, the opposition are standing against it? What is the reason behind this drastic change in approach? If Bahrain’s leaders are at fault against its people, as you say, why not invite the world to see? Who is the one complaining that the world has forgotten us?

We obviously do know the reason behind this change in approach. The opposition do not want the world to see the daily violence that innocent citizens are facing from youths blocking the streets, throwing petrol bombs at standing policemen, and most importantly, the reality on ground.

To those who stand against Bahrain’s hosting of the Formula 1 race I say, I’m sorry about your sadness, but it is selfish to force everyone around you to be sad just because you are. Sports is sports, politics is politics, don’t mix the two, just like it can’t be dark, when it is sunny.

I agree with u tottaly.
Let’s ask our self this,our leaders and goverment knew about the shia plan on Bahrain ever since that terrorist Al Khomaini over threw the Shah,why didbt they stop it ? What they did was devided Bahrain among them and share the oil money between them and ofcours buy horses expensive ones ! Now who pays for our leaders mistake ? Us Sunnis who were is and will always be peacefull.

I want F1 back in Bahrain coz I love F1 and am a big fan.but I know where the F1 money goes at the end.its a shame I though after this crisis Bahrain and its people and most specially it’s leaders will change.

Let’s just pray my brother Saqer.plz don’t take what I said personally.u know I’m right though

I do respect your right to your own opinion even if I disagree completely with it.
I know that you will turn a blind eye to brutality of the Bahraini regime ever since, well, ever since the Alkhalifa reign began. After all, it is your family and you wouldn’t want your family to lose their absolute grip on power to the likes of…the people of Bahrain.
That’s why the fairy tale of an Iranian backed armed coup is propogated by those with an interest in keeping the status quo and totally ignoring the suffering of the common people in Bahrain.
So let me shed a bit of light here, everyone knows. The truth that is. You are an intelligent person. And you do yourself a great disservice when you talk seriously about fantastic Iranian backed, and armed nontheless, coups at the hand of one man. I mean let’s face it, I don’t really see an army around him.
If you are not entirely in touch with what’s going on with the man on the street, may I suggest you talk to him and learn something about the reality of what Bahrain is. That is, if you really care.
As I said in the beginning, I respect your opinion, as I hope you respect mine.

Opinion is one thing, facts are another. If you object on something, you should object to the laws and regulations in Bahrain and their implementations.

It is much better for you to look at which laws you think lead to the suffering of the Bahraini people as you say and voice your concern. Or, you can see the laws that you like and object to the failure of their implementation.

Rather than he said, she said, let’s get to the bottom of it with facts and not dramatic fictional stories.

The history of political movements in Bahrain cannot be reduced to specific laws or regulations, it is a deadly flaw in the way that Bahrain has been ruled. Bahrain’s recent history has shown that calls for reforms and participation in the decision making process has been ongoing since the beginning of the 20th century. Yet here we are, nearly a 100 years later, and very little has changed.

Absolute power still rests in the hands of the ruler of the country, while the people demand their inalienable right to choose their own government, or as Abraham Lincoln famously said in his Gettysburg Address: “A government of the people, by the people, for the people”.

Can we apply Lincoln’s description above to the government of Bahrain. Not even in the wildest imagination of regime loyalists would this be true. And therein lies the problem. Forget conspiracy theories and Iran for a moment and just listen to the heartbeat of the streets of Bahrain. This is, after all, the information age and not much stays hidden as it used to be. People are yearning for justice, equality, freedom from oppression and fear of government heavy-handedness. People want, no, they need a government that truly represents them, all Bahrainis. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to participate in the armed forces of the country they were born and raised in. I want this change more than anything, and I will never ever sellout my country to anyone whether Iran or Saudi.

But the reality is not so simple. There are local power-mongers, there are regional and international players with agendas and interests, and those interests do not necessarily represent the interests of Bahrain or its people. So again, here we are, nearly 100 years later, still having to go to the streets and march and demonstrate and demand our rights. And if you are even a casual student of history, you know that there is only one way that this will end.

I sincerely thank you for providing the opportunity to even me to express and share my opinion on your site.

The same way IGOs measure success in the developed world is applied in Bahrain. Thus, looking at data, Bahrain has achieved a lot, for itself, and the people. You cannot defy challenges and obstacles with a simple pill of pain reliever. You cannot argue against the fact that Bahrain is a way above average country and the people are way above average to international standards. Have you credited the government for this?

Still, there are shortcomings, we won’t stop until we’re the best. We have the right tools to be the best. However, when the tools to be the best are handed over to extremism and sectarianism, we will only be promised failure, and to take down what we have built for the past 100 years, as you say.

A government for the people is an absolute necessity in a system of government by the people. What programs do those throwing molotov bombs have for the people except terrorism?

You are right in that I cannot argue about measuring the status of Bahrain and its citizens against international standards, simply because I am not sure to which standards you refer.

Are we talking about international standards of democracy? Ok, let’s compare Bahrain to democratic nations. We can elect a parliament, but it cannot legislate anything. The ultimate power is in the hands of the King. Even the government can pass laws bypassing the elected body of representatives. And how democratic is an appointed legelative council which has equal powers to the elected council?

Are we talking international standards of health care? It is only logical to compare our system to the best out there, such as in France or Switzerland or Singapore. Public primary care quality is quite appaling; although to be fair, Salmaniya Medical Complex, before it’s militarization, had some of the best medical talents and capabilities in the region (Soon the ridiculous accusations brought against the doctors will be thrown out of court with the overwhelming amount of evidence that is being presented by the defense team proving that all of the accusations were in fact, fabricated).

Are we talking about the environment according to international standards? You might remember how Bahrain had quite an abundance of natural water springs, which existed for thousands of years, only to suddenly dry up within the last 30 years or so. Government policies have destroyed most of these springs, and even fish habitats are destroyed as a result of greed for land reclamation. Who benefitted from all of this? Only aristocrats in the ruling family and their wealthy loyalists.

We as a country do have the potential to be the best. We are only hindered by the greed of those powerful enough to sway every advancement to their interest. If it benefits the people as well, then it is incidental. An elected governement, and a decentralization of power, would be a good start to remedy the situation.

Those throwing molotov bombs are not the ones with the programs. They are the ones who demonstrate publicly to demand reform, are answered back with “tear” gas fired directly at them and directly into their (and others’) homes, and they retaliate with molotov bombs. Bad situation by all means, and everyone loses.
The people with the programs are well known, and the government knows them too. Some are prisoners of concience (as the BICI report affirmed) and others are working with those in authority who will listen to reason and have an open mind to a different, and better future for Bahrain. For reference, please see http://alwefaq.net/index.php?show=news&action=article&id=5933.